Defining the Visual Album by way of Animal Collective’s ODDSAC: Identifying the musicological exchange between music and images based on audio visual and music video analysis

Abstract

An introspective case study on the first self-defined visual album: ODDSAC by alternative indie-rock band Animal Collective. This thesis will interpret both the musical and visual components of visual albums under the guise of popular music studies on music video analysis. The conclusions drawn from this study are a continuation of multi-media musicological research on the evolving state of music and videos. The methodological approach to this study is drawn from Carol Vernallis’ work documenting music video studies. This study will serve as a representation of dissecting the components of the visual album - defining it as a uniquely differentiated media form in the music and visual arts.

This thesis will first look at how musical concepts are represented in music videos, and then take on a wider perspective by examining how the visual, and editorial techniques directors contribute to music videos. The use of music within an audiovisual realm is quite limited. Musicological claims on popular music transformed into the music video are specific to the commercialization of the beginning media format. This study will uncover the process in understanding narrativity in the music of music videos.

The second half of the study deviates from a solely musicological standpoint as to incorporate the larger picture of the visual album’s purpose in popular music analysis on audio visual media formats.